Late Medical Withdrawal

Students may experience medical and/or psychological conditions as well as problems around substance misuse that significantly impact their ability to complete their academic pursuits. If such circumstances occur after the withdrawal deadline has passed, a late medical withdrawal from the University provides the student an opportunity to remain a matriculated student while also allowing time away for appropriate treatment and recovery. 

A late medical withdrawal from the University requires approval through the Academic Petition Process.  Grades of W are assigned when a student is approved for a late medical withdrawal.

Requesting a Late Medical Withdrawal 

  1. Any student who wishes to request a complete late medical withdrawal from classes should begin by scheduling an appointment with the Academic Advising Office*. You may schedule an appointment with Academic Advising by calling (813) 257-5757. Please specify it is to discuss a late medical withdrawal.

    *In cases of emergency, serious illness, or incapacitation, the Wellness Center staff, (813) 253-6250, may coordinate with the Academic Advising Office to facilitate the late medical withdrawal process as needed.
  2. At this meeting, the University official will discuss the late medical withdrawal process with the student. 
  3. Student should then submit the Academic Petition to the Academic Advising Office.  This must include the Academic Petition Form, a personal statement, and all available documents supporting the medical necessity of a withdrawal or the Medical Documentation Form.  All forms can be found on SpartanNet.  Students filing for a late medical withdrawal after the semester has ended must do so by the end of the 7th week of classes in the subsequent spring or fall semester.  Students who petition for a late medical withdraw and who plan to reenroll in the next term must submit the Medical Clearance documents as part of the Academic Petition. 
  4. If the evaluation or other submitted documents from a licensed health care provider supports a medical withdrawal, the Dean of Students office will place a hold on the student’s account that will prevent the student from being re-admitted or re-enrolled without properly petitioning to return as outlined in the Medical Clearance Process http://www.ut.edu/deanofstudents/policies/. If the student is already registered for the upcoming semester, the student’s courses may be administratively dropped. 

Medical Clearance Process to Return to UT 

Contact the chair of Medical Clearance Committee at medclearance@ut.edu or (813) 257-3757 for the term in which the student would like to return.  

  1. Submit the Medical Clearance Form within two weeks of contacting the chair with the intention to return.  The deadlines for submitting the Medical Clearance Form are August 1 for the fall term, January 2 for the spring term and May 1 for the summer terms.  The form should be completed by a licensed professional appropriate for the medical issue(s) which necessitated the withdrawal.  The University will return insufficient documentation for additional information/clarification, if needed.
  2. Submit a release of information in order to share pertinent medical information relevant to the desired clearance form from your doctor or medical professional and the Dickey Wellness Center staff.   This release of information may be obtained from the treating professional or from the Dickey Wellness Center by calling (813) 253-6250.
  3. Confirm with the chair of the Medical Clearance Committee that both the Medical Clearance Form and the release of information have been received.  You may also ask any additional questions at this time.  The University retains the right to grant final clearance.

Documents to Submit: